Abu Dhabi witnessed about 5% increase in the hotel guest numbers in September as compared to the same month last year with 415,985 domestic and international visitors checking in to one of the emirate’s 163 hotels or hotel apartments.
Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi released the figures for the hotel guests during the month with 14 per cent in Al Dhafra region, 8 per cent in Al Ain region and 4 per cent in Abu Dhabi city with a total occupancy rate of 69 per cent. There was also increase in the night guests numbers by 15%, 6% and 5% respectively.
September’s rise has maintained the emirate’s 7 per cent increase over the year so far in the number of hotel guests staying in the emirate and is on track to surpass 2016’s total of 4.4 million guests.
The number of domestic tourists in Abu Dhabi, however, saw a slight drop in its numbers. On the other hand, the same month, saw rise in the Chinese hotel guests, recording an increase of 133 per cent in comparison to September 2016.
According to the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, the rise to more than 28,000 Chinese guests in the month can be attributed to extensive marketing across China carried out by the Department and the granting of visas on arrival from the start of the year to Chinese nationals. India remained the largest international source market with more than 33,000 hotel guests during the month, while the UK was third behind China showing a 5 per cent rise.
Saif Saeed Ghobash, Director General, Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi said that globally, they have invested heavily in marketing Abu Dhabi as a destination of distinction, the perfect place to visit and explore, with an emphasis on an emirate steeped in history, culture and heritage. “China is showing outstanding growth for us and we have a long-term target of bringing 600,000 Chinese hotel guests a year to the emirate by 2021.”
There was also rise in the hotel guests from the United States in September by about 30% than last year.
